Władysław of Bytom
Encyclopedia
Władysław of Bytom was a Duke of Koźle
during 1303-1334, Duke of Bytom
from 1316, Duke of Toszek
since 1329 and Duke of Siewierz
during 1328-1337.
He was the second son of Duke Casimir of Bytom
by his wife Helena.
For unknown reasons, after his father's death in 1312 Władysław retained only Koźle, and the capital of the Duchy, Bytom was given to his younger brother Siemowit
. Also, the two of Casimir I's sons who followed the church career also received further lands: Bolesław
obtain Toszek
and Mieszko
received Siewierz
(another brother, George
was co-ruler of Władysław, who in fact exercised the whole government).
In 1316 Władysław assumed the government over Bytom
. The circumstances around the removal of Siemowit are unknown, and the next notices about him are found only on 19 February 1327, where Władysław, Siemowit and George paid homage to the Bohemian King John of Luxembourg in Opawa
. One year before (1315) his brothers Bolesław and Mieszko chosen to live in Hungary and put their lands under the regency of Władysław.
In 1328, Mieszko formally resigned his domain over Siewierz on Władysław's behalf and one year later (1329), the death of Bolesław allowed the Duke of Koźle to reunited the whole paternal lands under his rule. However, this unity didn't remain for too long. The continuous financial problems forced Władysław to sold part of his inheritance. First, on 21 February 1334 he pledged the town of Koźle
to his cousin Duke Leszek of Racibórz
by the amount of 4,000 pieces of silver with the compromise that, in the event of his death without issue, Koźle return to the Duchy of Bytom. Leszek died two years later, in 1336, and according to the terms of the pledge Koźle would return to Władysław, but soon after he was forced to give this lands to his eldest son Casimir
, and after his death in 1347, the town was given to his younger brother Bolesław
.
In 1337 Władysław suffered further territorial losses. Firstly, on 8 May he sold Siewierz to Duke Casimir I of Cieszyn and at the end of that year, he gave to his cousin Duke Bolko II of Opole
the town of Toszek by the amount of 100 fines. Finally, around 1340 Władysław decided to give Gliwice
to his brother Siemowit as a separate Duchy.
Władysław's extremely cautious politics radically changed: in the course of Polish-Bohemian War during the years 1345-1348 he stood at the side of the Polish Kingdom, especially after the unexpected victories in the Battles of Pogoń
(now Sosnowiec
) and Lelów
. In 1345 Władysław could repelled the attack of the Bohemian troops and on 15 February 1346 he signed a treaty with King Casimir III of Poland
under which the latter agreed to provide military help against Bohemia. Unfortunately, Poland wasn't able to use this great possibility of extending his influence on the Upper Silesia
, and after 1348 Władysław was found again as an ally of Bohemia.
Władysław died before 8 September 1352 years and it's unknown where he was buried. His lands were inherited by his only surviving son, Bolesław. Soon before his death, Władysław concluded with the Bohemian King an agreement allowing the succession of women in his Duchy, which happened in 1355 and cause the division of Bytom between Dukes of Oleśnica
and Cieszyn
.
(b. ca. 1270 – d. bef. 26 April 1316), daughter of Otto V the Long, Margrave of Brandenburg
-Salzwedel
and widow of Bolko I the Strict
, Duke of Świdnica
. They had two children:
By 6 April 1328, Władysław married secondly Ludgarda (b. ca. 1310 - d. by 3 June 1362), daughter of Henry II the Lion, Prince of Mecklenburg
and Lord of Stargard
. They had six children:
Kozle
Koźle is a district of Kędzierzyn-Koźle and is at the junction of the Kłodnica and Odra rivers, 29 Ifl. southeast of Opole by rail. The district has a Roman Catholic church, a medieval chateau, remains of a 19th century fortress and a high school...
during 1303-1334, Duke of Bytom
Bytom
Bytom is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The central-western district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Bytom is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Bytomka river .The city belongs to the Silesian Voivodeship since...
from 1316, Duke of Toszek
Toszek
Toszek is a town in Poland, in Gliwice County, Silesian Voivodeship, with 4,000 inhabitants.- History :The beginning of the settlement and fortified keep is dated in the 9th and 10th centuries when the area was ruled by the Piasts, Mieszko I of Poland and later Bolesław I the Brave.The fortified...
since 1329 and Duke of Siewierz
Siewierz
Siewierz is a town in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland.-History:In history, Sewerien was first mentioned in 1125, which was administered by the Castellan of Bytom. In 1177, Casimir II granted Sewerien to Mieszko IV Tanglefoot duke of Silesia and Racibórz, together with the duchy of Bytom. The...
during 1328-1337.
He was the second son of Duke Casimir of Bytom
Casimir of Bytom
Casimir of Bytom was a Duke of Opole during 1282–1284 and Duke of Bytom from 1284 until his death....
by his wife Helena.
Life
Władysław's first official appearance was in 1289 on occasion of the homage of his father to King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia. In 1303 Władysław received from his father the town of Koźle.For unknown reasons, after his father's death in 1312 Władysław retained only Koźle, and the capital of the Duchy, Bytom was given to his younger brother Siemowit
Siemowit of Bytom
Siemowit of Bytom , was a Duke of Bytom during 1312–1316 and Duke of Gliwice from 1340 until his death.He was the third son of Duke Casimir of Bytom by his wife Helena.-Life:...
. Also, the two of Casimir I's sons who followed the church career also received further lands: Bolesław
Bolesław of Toszek
Bolesław of Toszek , was a Duke of Toszek since 1303 until his death and Archbishop of Esztergom from 1321.He was the oldest son of Duke Casimir of Bytom by his wife Helena.- Life :...
obtain Toszek
Toszek
Toszek is a town in Poland, in Gliwice County, Silesian Voivodeship, with 4,000 inhabitants.- History :The beginning of the settlement and fortified keep is dated in the 9th and 10th centuries when the area was ruled by the Piasts, Mieszko I of Poland and later Bolesław I the Brave.The fortified...
and Mieszko
Mieszko of Bytom
Mieszko of Bytom , was a Duke of Siewierz during 1312-1328 , Bishop of Nitra during 1328-1334 and Bishop of Veszprém since 1334 until his death....
received Siewierz
Siewierz
Siewierz is a town in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland.-History:In history, Sewerien was first mentioned in 1125, which was administered by the Castellan of Bytom. In 1177, Casimir II granted Sewerien to Mieszko IV Tanglefoot duke of Silesia and Racibórz, together with the duchy of Bytom. The...
(another brother, George
George of Bytom
George of Bytom , was a Duke of Bytom since 1316 until his death .He was the fourth son of Duke Casimir of Bytom by his wife Helena.-Life:...
was co-ruler of Władysław, who in fact exercised the whole government).
In 1316 Władysław assumed the government over Bytom
Bytom
Bytom is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The central-western district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Bytom is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Bytomka river .The city belongs to the Silesian Voivodeship since...
. The circumstances around the removal of Siemowit are unknown, and the next notices about him are found only on 19 February 1327, where Władysław, Siemowit and George paid homage to the Bohemian King John of Luxembourg in Opawa
Opawa
Opawa is an inner suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, located 2.5 kilometres south-east of the city centre.The name is a contraction of Opaawaho, which means a place of an outer pā or outpost in Māori. Opaawaho or Ōpāwaho is the Māori name for the Heathcote River....
. One year before (1315) his brothers Bolesław and Mieszko chosen to live in Hungary and put their lands under the regency of Władysław.
In 1328, Mieszko formally resigned his domain over Siewierz on Władysław's behalf and one year later (1329), the death of Bolesław allowed the Duke of Koźle to reunited the whole paternal lands under his rule. However, this unity didn't remain for too long. The continuous financial problems forced Władysław to sold part of his inheritance. First, on 21 February 1334 he pledged the town of Koźle
Kozle
Koźle is a district of Kędzierzyn-Koźle and is at the junction of the Kłodnica and Odra rivers, 29 Ifl. southeast of Opole by rail. The district has a Roman Catholic church, a medieval chateau, remains of a 19th century fortress and a high school...
to his cousin Duke Leszek of Racibórz
Leszek of Racibórz
Leszek of Racibórz was a Duke of Racibórz since 1306 and Duke of Koźle from 1334 until his death.He was the eldest child and only son of Duke Przemysław of Racibórz by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Konrad II of Masovia.-Life:...
by the amount of 4,000 pieces of silver with the compromise that, in the event of his death without issue, Koźle return to the Duchy of Bytom. Leszek died two years later, in 1336, and according to the terms of the pledge Koźle would return to Władysław, but soon after he was forced to give this lands to his eldest son Casimir
Casimir of Koźle
Casimir of Koźle was a Duke of Koźle since 1336 until his death.He was the eldest son of Duke Władysław of Bytom but the only by his first wife Beatrix, daughter of Otto V the Long, Margrave of Brandenburg–Salzwedel.-Life:...
, and after his death in 1347, the town was given to his younger brother Bolesław
Bolesław of Bytom
Bolesław of Bytom , was a Duke of Koźle from 1347 and Duke of Bytom since 1352 until his death.He was the second son of Duke Władysław of Bytom but the eldest by his second wife Ludgarda, daughter of Henry II the Lion, Prince of Mecklenburg and Lord of Stargard.-Life:After the death of his elder...
.
In 1337 Władysław suffered further territorial losses. Firstly, on 8 May he sold Siewierz to Duke Casimir I of Cieszyn and at the end of that year, he gave to his cousin Duke Bolko II of Opole
Bolko II of Opole
Bolko II of Opole , was a Duke of Opole since 1313 .He was the second son of Duke Bolko I of Opole by his wife Agnes, probably a daughter of Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg.-Life:...
the town of Toszek by the amount of 100 fines. Finally, around 1340 Władysław decided to give Gliwice
Gliwice
Gliwice is a city in Upper Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Gliwice is the west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union – a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
to his brother Siemowit as a separate Duchy.
Władysław's extremely cautious politics radically changed: in the course of Polish-Bohemian War during the years 1345-1348 he stood at the side of the Polish Kingdom, especially after the unexpected victories in the Battles of Pogoń
Pogon
Pogoń or Pahonia , meaning The Chase, also Vytis in Lithuanian language, represents a Knight-in-pursuit coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and of several of its noble families:* Pogoń Litewska Coat of Arms, the original variant...
(now Sosnowiec
Sosnowiec
Sosnowiec is a city in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie in southern Poland, near Katowice. It is one of the central districts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metropolis with a combined population of over two million people located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Brynica river .It is situated in...
) and Lelów
Lelów
Lelów is a village in Częstochowa County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Lelów...
. In 1345 Władysław could repelled the attack of the Bohemian troops and on 15 February 1346 he signed a treaty with King Casimir III of Poland
Casimir III of Poland
Casimir III the Great , last King of Poland from the Piast dynasty , was the son of King Władysław I the Elbow-high and Hedwig of Kalisz.-Biography:...
under which the latter agreed to provide military help against Bohemia. Unfortunately, Poland wasn't able to use this great possibility of extending his influence on the Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
, and after 1348 Władysław was found again as an ally of Bohemia.
Władysław died before 8 September 1352 years and it's unknown where he was buried. His lands were inherited by his only surviving son, Bolesław. Soon before his death, Władysław concluded with the Bohemian King an agreement allowing the succession of women in his Duchy, which happened in 1355 and cause the division of Bytom between Dukes of Oleśnica
Olesnica
Oleśnica is a town in the Trzebnickie Hills in southwestern Poland with 36,951 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
and Cieszyn
Cieszyn
Cieszyn is a border-town and the seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has 36,109 inhabitants . Cieszyn lies on the Olza River, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite Český Těšín....
.
Marriages and Issue
By 21 September 1308, Władysław married firstly BeatrixBeatrice of Brandenburg
Beatrice of Brandenburg , was a German princess and a member of the House of Ascania in the Brandenburg branch. By her two marriages she was Duchess of Świdnica and Koźle-Bytom-Siewierz....
(b. ca. 1270 – d. bef. 26 April 1316), daughter of Otto V the Long, Margrave of Brandenburg
Brandenburg
Brandenburg is one of the sixteen federal-states of Germany. It lies in the east of the country and is one of the new federal states that were re-created in 1990 upon the reunification of the former West Germany and East Germany. The capital is Potsdam...
-Salzwedel
Salzwedel
Salzwedel of Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, and has a population of approximately 21,500. Salzwedel is located on the German Framework Road.-Geography:...
and widow of Bolko I the Strict
Bolko I the Strict
Bolko I the Strict also known as the Raw or of Jawor , was a Duke of Lwówek during 1278-81 and Jawor since 1278 , sole Duke of Lwówek since 1286, Duke of Świdnica-Ziębice since 1291.He was the second son of Bolesław II the Bald, Duke of Legnica by his first wife Hedwig, daughter of...
, Duke of Świdnica
Swidnica
Świdnica is a city in south-western Poland in the region of Silesia. It has a population of 60,317 according to 2006 figures. It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, being the seventh largest town in that voivodeship. From 1975–98 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship...
. They had two children:
- CasimirCasimir of KoźleCasimir of Koźle was a Duke of Koźle since 1336 until his death.He was the eldest son of Duke Władysław of Bytom but the only by his first wife Beatrix, daughter of Otto V the Long, Margrave of Brandenburg–Salzwedel.-Life:...
(b. ca. 1312 - by 2 March 1347). - Euphemia (b. ca. 1313? - d. 3 January 1378), married by 2 March 1333 to Duke Konrad I of OleśnicaKonrad I of OlesnicaKonrad I of Oleśnica was a Duke of Żagań, Ścinawa, etc., during 1309–1312 , Duke of Oleśnica, Namysłów, Gniezno and Kalisz during 1312–1313 , Duke of Kalisz during 1313–1314 , Duke of Namysłów since 1313 and Duke of Oleśnica since 1321 until his death .He was the second son...
.
By 6 April 1328, Władysław married secondly Ludgarda (b. ca. 1310 - d. by 3 June 1362), daughter of Henry II the Lion, Prince of Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg is a historical region in northern Germany comprising the western and larger part of the federal-state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern...
and Lord of Stargard
Stargard
Starogard or Stargard means old fort or old city in the Pomeranian language, and gard is Old Slavic, Old Germanic, Old Baltic, and Old Finnic for castle or fortification...
. They had six children:
- Agnes (b. ca. 1328 - d. 7 April 1362), Abbess of TrzebnicaTrzebnicaTrzebnica is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Trzebnica County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Trzebnica. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
(1348). - Katharina (b. 1329/30 - d. aft. 29 May 1377), Abbess of Trzebnica (1362).
- BolesławBolesław of BytomBolesław of Bytom , was a Duke of Koźle from 1347 and Duke of Bytom since 1352 until his death.He was the second son of Duke Władysław of Bytom but the eldest by his second wife Ludgarda, daughter of Henry II the Lion, Prince of Mecklenburg and Lord of Stargard.-Life:After the death of his elder...
(b. 1330 - d. by 4 October 1355). - Beatrix (b. ca. 1335 - 20 February 1364), married on 15 May 1357 to Count Berthold of HardeggHardeggHardegg is a town in the district of Hollabrunn in Lower Austria, Austria. It is situated in the Waldviertel region on the river Thaya, directly at the border with the Czech Republic...
. - Elencza (d. 9 July 1339), a nun in Racibórz.
- A son (bef. 8 May 1337 - d. bef. 1355).